The Persona series, originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a powerhouse in the world of modern RPGs. With its captivating blend of deep storytelling, complex characters, and innovative gameplay, Persona has expanded beyond video games into anime, stage plays, and other media, cementing its status as a multimedia sensation. With the release of Persona 3 Reload on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, new fans and veterans alike are eager to dive into this rich universe. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the series, including the best starting points for newcomers, as well as both the chronological and release order of the titles.
Jump to:
- How to play in order
- How to play by release date
- Upcoming releases
How Many Persona Games Are There?
There are currently twenty Persona games in total. This count includes expanded versions of mainline entries, featuring new story content or remakes. We will highlight every alternate version of each game in our listings below.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, jumping into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is highly recommended. These are the latest iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and major consoles (except Persona 3 Reload, which is not on Nintendo Switch).
Each of these games offers a standalone story with unique characters, making them perfect entry points without the need to play previous titles. To decide which one suits you best, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links featured in each game to see what resonates with you the most.
Persona 3 Reload
54 Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon
Persona 4 Golden
42 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Nintendo
Persona 5 Royal
103 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Amazon
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order
These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus' response to the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another high-school-themed spin-off. It introduced a full-fledged dungeon-crawling RPG set in Mikage-cho, where a group of high schoolers combat a supernatural uprising using their Personas. This game laid the groundwork for the series, introducing key elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
The second installment, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, launched in 1999, following a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. They battle the enigmatic villain Joker and the Masked Circle cult, exploring dungeons and fighting shadows in a narrative centered around rumors turning into reality in Sumaru City. It was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, a year later.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Continuing the story from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features Maya Amano as the protagonist. Tasked with investigating a phenomenon called the Joker Curse, Maya and her team confront a returning enemy. The gameplay retains the series' turn-based, dungeon-crawling style, with players strengthening their party and using Personas in battle.
Read our review of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
4. Persona 3 (2006) / Persona 3 FES (2007) / Persona 3 Portable (2009) / Persona 3 Reload (2024)
Persona 3 marked a significant evolution for the series, introducing a daily calendar system that balances school life and social interactions with supernatural battles in Tartarus. The protagonist, Makoto Yuki, navigates the Dark Hour, where he fights shadows to unravel a world-threatening plot. This entry introduced social links and other mechanics now iconic to the franchise.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has been re-released multiple times. Persona 3 FES added a new chapter, The Answer, and an alternate female protagonist campaign. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist route but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the base game, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based spin-off set during the main campaign, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight sees Elizabeth challenge the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. Though set in a dream, it remains canon and features the team performing to iconic Persona 3 tracks.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami as he moves to the countryside and gets entangled in a series of murders linked to an otherworldly realm accessible through TV monitors. The game expands on Persona 3's mechanics, blending school life, social links, and dungeon exploration.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and an additional dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive way to experience the game.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
This crossover occurs during segments of Persona 3 and Persona 4, where both teams find themselves trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School. Players explore a labyrinth and engage in a new narrative, harking back to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
A fighting game spin-off, Persona 4 Arena follows Yu Narukami back to Inaba and into a mysterious tournament in the TV world, facing off against allies and the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
Following the events of Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax sees the Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives unite to combat the forces behind the tournament, expanding the roster with returning characters.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
This rhythm-based spin-off sees the Investigation Squad performing dance routines in an alternate dimension, the Midnight Stage, continuing the canon storyline of Persona 4.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows Joker, a student on probation, and his friends as they uncover a supernatural dimension to change the hearts of wrongdoers, becoming the Phantom Thieves. Building on previous entries, the game introduced new mechanics like Mementos and became Atlus' best-selling game.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal added a new companion, dungeon, and semester, enhancing the original experience significantly.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover where the Phantom Thieves, S.E.E.S, and the Investigation Squad are trapped in a movie theater, exploring various movie-themed dungeons to escape.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during the events of Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy spin-off where the Phantom Thieves navigate an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, to save their brainwashed allies and return home.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
In this dancing spin-off, the Phantom Thieves are challenged to a dance-off in the Velvet Room by Caroline and Justine, performing to Persona 5's catchy tracks.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set post-Persona 5, Strikers sees the Phantom Thieves reunite for a summer vacation that turns into a Metaverse adventure. This spin-off incorporates real-time combat from the Dynasty Warriors series.
Read our review of Persona 5 Strikers.
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Release Order
- Revelations: Persona (1996)
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
- Persona 3 (2006)
- Persona 3 FES (2007)
- Persona 4 (2008)
- Persona 3 Portable (2009)
- Persona 4 Arena (2012)
- Persona 4 Golden (2012)
- Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
- Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
- Persona 5 (2016)
- Persona 3: Dancing in the Moonlight (2018)
- Persona 5: Dancing in the Starlight (2018)
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
- Persona 5 Royal (2019)
- Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
- Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
- Persona 3 Reload (2024)
What's Next for Persona?
In 2024, Atlus delighted fans with the releases of Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Studio Zero. Following the success of Metaphor, which garnered numerous awards, Sega expressed a strong commitment to further invest in Atlus and the Persona franchise during a developers' Q&A session.The next project to keep an eye on is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024. A Japanese release is on the horizon following a closed beta sign-up in October, with a global release anticipated, though no official date has been set. The Phantom X introduces an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters joining the Phantom Thieves.
The much-anticipated Persona 6 has yet to be officially confirmed by Atlus, but fans eagerly await any news on this next chapter in the beloved RPG series.
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